A celebration of the life of Crispin Gill

A number of letters and messages have been received which celebrate the life of Crispin Gill, whose death was announced in November 2004. Those who have contributed are Dr Alston Kennerley, Peter Ferguson, David Clement and Judith Godfrey. [ed.]

Crispin Gill was a man of many talents and interests. He joined the Herald and Morning News in 1934, later becoming assistant editor of the Morning News for more than 20 years. Editor of The Countryman magazine, prolific author with more than twenty books on Plymouth, the Isles of Scilly, Dartmoor and the West Country, founder member of Plymouth’s Barbican Association, and amongst his other memberships were those of the Devonshire Association, the Royal Western Yacht Club, the Dartmoor National Parks Committee, and the SWMHS for many years. He was also a founder member of the Friends of Buckland Abbey and the Museum and regenerated the Old Plymouth Society. Those who knew him speak of a man with a wry sense of humour, and passionate care for Plymouth, its inhabitants, and of the West Country in general.

In his association with SWMHS he was an inspiration to fellow members, Judith Godrey writes: ‘Crispin Gill was, as he said himself, the "father" of my research into the Plymouth merchant shipbuilder Richard Hill. Although a general historian, Crispin was particularly interested in Plymouth’s merchant shipbuilders, especially the Shilstons, and gave a talk on the subject at Dartington in 1972. He showed a photograph of a painting of a schooner called the Richard Hill which I was able to purchase from the owner and have restored. Research into the ship led to the shipbuilder. Crispin wanted me to include all of Plymouth’s merchant shipbuilders in my research and, to some extent, I am doing that now. I just wish I had been able to hand him a copy of my book before he left.’

From Dr. Alston Kennerley and others

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